Electric-switch control



.H. GROSS ELECTRIC SWITCH CONTROL Filed March 50, 1925 Oct. 12 1926.

Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

HUGO onoss, F BROOKLYN, new YORK.

ELECTRIC-SWITCH CONTROL,

Application filed March 30, 1925. Serial No. 19,267.

This invention relates to a switch control device in general and particularly to the class commonly known as gang controls es pecially adapted for use in lighting of theatres and like places, where it becomes desirable to either simultaneously or individually close or open electric circuits, by which various lighting effects are attained.

Gang controls are generally known and in principle they consist of a plurality of switch control means connecting with individual switches of lighting circuits and controllable by a master switch control through common actuating means as for instance a shaft.

The individual switch controls in this case are pivotally mounted upon the shaft and may be operatively connectedthereto at will.

One of the Objects of my invention is to provide such individual switch control with 20 independent and positively locking means whereby such control may either be caused to operateindividually of themaster control or in conjunction with that master control when the latter is moved into on or ofi' positions, or to operate simultaneously with the master control when moved alternately into on or ofl positions.

The foregoing and further Objects will be more fully apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, forming part of this disclosure, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof, partially in section.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of an engaging member as it appears from looking from the right-hand side, and,

Figure 4 is a detailed View, partially in section, showing the detent operating device.

Referring to the drawings numeral de, notes a shaft or actuating means usually operated by a master control.

Pivotally mounted upon shaft 10 is the body of my individual switch control which is provided at its lower portion with a yoke 11, engaging the shaft. This yoke sits within bearings 12 formed at the end of extensions 13 of a bracket 14 which is attached to a panel 15. The bracket 14 has a central slot 16 corresponding with an opening 17 in the panel 15. Through this slot extends a connecting rod 18 from the control device to the switch operated thereby.

The connecting rod is pivoted as indicated at 19 and is capable of a reciprocating and swinging motion imparted thereto by my switch control.

Arranged at both 'sides of bearings 12 there aretwo engaging members 20 and'21 securely fastened to shaft 10 by means of set screws 22. As will be seen these engaging members comprise cylindrical bodies with enlargements abutting with bearings 12 and provided with a recess indicated at 23, forming a tooth 24 which is adapted to engage detents 25 and 26' respectively. These de tents are slidable rods guided withiirthe body by lower guide lugs 27 and upper guide lugs 28'and are propelled in downward direction by compression spring 29. Mounted upon the inner frame 30 of the body is a double eccentric 31 pivoted at 32. This double eccentric is composed of two members 33 and 34, each provided with faces 35 vary-- ing in distance from pivotal point 32.- i7 These faces 35 are adaptedto engage a pin 36 protrudingfrom theside of'each detent 25 and 26. "When the eccentric is moved into various positions. the detents will be either lifted or lowered dependin-g'which one of the faces of the eccentric engage the pins. In this manner the detents 25 and 26 will be brought either into or out of the operating range of the engaging members 20 and 21 or their respective teeth 24. v

The outer shell 37 of the housing of my device is provided with a slot 38 havingfour recesses 39 adapted to be engagedby the selective handle 40 of the eccentric. These recesses permit the handle to be securely seated and arrested'in its position to which it is adjusted. A

As will be seen at the righthand side of the housing, the various recesses are marked with Ind. meaning independent, on, off, and Pos. which means in' positive connection with'the master handle. Thus whenthe handle 40 is brought into the position marked Ind. both detents 25 and 26 are lifted to clear the teeth 24 of the engaging members. In the on position detent 26 is lowered so it may be engaged b engaging member 20, while detent 25 is li ted above the engaging member 21. When handle 40 is set 105 into off position, the positions of the detents are reversed. In the position marked Pos. both detents are permitted to come in the paths of engaging members 20 and 21.

It will be seen that these engaging members are set in reciprocal relation toeach other, that is, engaging member 21 will operate my device when the master switch is pushed in the direction towards panel and engaging member will cause the operation of my device when the master handle is pulled in the direction from panel 15.

The selective handle 40, attached to the eccentric 31, is reciprocating in its operation and is propelled by a spring towards the housing 37 of the device.

As will be seen in Figure t the handle cornprises a stem ll, which is directly associated with the eccentric and upon which is slidably mounted a sleeve 4-2 permanently attached to knob 43, which is hollow. Bearing against sleeve 42 is a spring id which is held in place by a washer 45 attached to stem ll by screw 46. Sleeve 42 is adapted to engage the recess 39 provided in the slot 88 of the housing 37.

Attached to the inner frame 30 of the body is the main or operating handle e7 which is preferably marked by a colored washer 4C8 so as to distinguish the switch or the circuit operated by my control device. Handle 47 is preferably screwed in from. the top and is adapted to hold down the cover 49 of my de' vice.

While I have described a specific construction of my device, be it understood that changes and improvements may be made without departing from the broad scope of my invention for which I claim 1. In an electric switch control, adapted to be associated with actuating means operable by a master switch control, comprising a pair of engaging members fastened to said actuating member, a control body pivotally engaging the latter and disposed between said engaging members, a pair of detents associated with said control body and adapted to be engaged at will by said-engaging mem bers, means for simultaneously positioning said detents individually relative to said engaging members, and means for locking said positioning means in place,

2. In an electric switch control mounted with actuating means operated by a master switch control, a control body in pivotal engagement with said actuating means and provided with an operating handle, a pair of engaging members fastened to said actuat ing means, a pair of detents opel'atively as sociated with said body and adapted to be engaged by said engaging members when brought into their pass, means for individually but simultaneously positioning said dotents relative to said engaging members, and spring propelled means for locking said positioning means in place when said detents are set.

3. In a switch control, a pivotally mounted body having means for swinging it into desired positions, a pair of detents operabl y associated with said body, a pair of detcnt engaging means arranged within the operating range of said detents but mounted independently of said body, means provided within said body for positioning said detents relative to said engaging means, and means for setting said positioning means in place.

i. A switch control, comprising a pivotal body provided with operating means, a plu rality of spring controlled detents operatively mounted in said body, means associated with said body, but independent of said body operating means, for simultaneously positioning said detents, detent engaging means independent of said body but arranged within the operating range of said detents and adjacent to said body and permanently attached to the pivot of said control body.

5. A switch control, comprising a body having an operating handle and pivotally mounted upon an operating shaft actuated by ainaster control handle, a pair of spring con trolled detents slidably mounted within and at the ends of said body, eccentric detent setting means disposed within the body and adapted to simultaneously position said detents, a pair 0t reciprocally designed detent engaging means fastened to said operating shaft at the sides of said body and within the operating range 01"? said detents, a handle for actuating said detent setting means, and means for locking said actuating handle andthus said detent setting means in place.

Signed at New York in the county 01": New York and State of New York this 27th day of March A. D. 1925.

HUGO GROSS. 

